NEW YORK — Regis Philbin couldn’t leave without a joke.
Signing off from morning television after more than 28 years, he brought to a close his final hour hosting “Live! With Regis and Kelly” by telling viewers, “I’ll always remember spending these mornings with all of you.”
Then, as the studio audience’s ovation subsided after the program’s fade-out, he voiced a kidding postscript to that crowd in attendance. “I just thought of something I should have said,” he quipped, “I really want to stay!”
No such luck. Philbin, who at 80 years old has logged more than 16,000 hours on TV in a career that dates to the 1950s, was making good on his decision to leave the daily grind.
During the hour, past guests such as Justin Timberlake offered brief taped tributes. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg paid a visit to thank Philbin for making the city a big part of his show. In the audience were family, friends, colleagues and celebrities, including Diane Sawyer, Donald Trump and co-host Kelly Ripa’s predecessor, Kathie Lee Gifford.The Associated Press
